Review Author: michellea4776

Review Date: 01 Jul 2018

Review Body: We were worried about visiting elephants in Sri Lanka as have heard a few stories about them being chained up and as it was booked through an agent we genuinely didn't know what to expect. This experience just blew our minds. It formed part of one of the nature reserves in Sri Lanka and the animals are totally wild and free to roam. We did come across some other travellers who went to see the orphanages were elephants were chained (according to our guide this is only due to the males being quite aggressive though and the orphanages are there to help abandoned babies survive). The trip lasted around 2 hours and we saw plenty of other wildlife not just the elephants but they were definatley the high light of the trip. We felt safe in our jeep and didn't feel at all like the elephants were being harassed or poorly treated. They are obviously used to the tours and pretty much just ignore you unless you get to close yo the mother and babies. It was an incredible experience and I would recommend this to anyone.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: theresalwaysone, UK

Review Date: 15 Feb 2018

Review Body: We had a private jeep tour around the national park. It was stunning! At one point a huge iguana wandered across our vehicles path and there were two types of monkey around as well as dozens of types of bird - everything from the tiny brightly coloured Bee-eaters hovering by flowers to the massive storks standing unmoving by the waters edge. Our driver was excellent at pointing out ones we would have missed - also showing us nests etc - really knowledgeable and interesting. He never made us feel that the time was limited as he shared his obvious love of the wildlife. We skirted around two separate groups of elephants - one of some 40 animals and the other of 60+ animals - what a glorious sight! All ages of elephant - even tiny babies. What a privilege to see in such close up that binoculars were not needed. Would certainly recommend this. It was quite expensive as it cost us 60 Dollars each.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lucy S, UK

Review Date: 11 Jan 2019

Review Body: Was picked up from my guest house exactly on time and taken to this beautiful park. We managed to get really quite close and saw lots of elephants at various spots. My guide was really friendly and made me feel at ease being a woman alone. He was able to answer all my questions and never rushed. He was also so good stopping on the way home to help me get a new SIM card because mine had broken, it was quite late at this point and I really appreciate his time and help. I would definitely recommend booking a trip with them, professional, good drivers not like some of the touts you get that drive bad and scare the elephants... Saw some of that and it was upsetting. These guys very good and respectful. Thank you for a wonderful day.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lucy S, United Kingdom

Review Date: 10 Jan 2019

Review Body: Was picked up from my guest house exactly on time and taken to this beautiful park. We managed to get really quite close and saw lots of elephants at various spots. My guide was really friendly and made me feel at ease being a woman alone. He was able to answer all my questions and never rushed. He was also so good stopping on the way home to help me get a new SIM card because mine had broken, it was quite late at this point and I really appreciate his time and help. I would definitely recommend booking a trip with them, professional, good drivers not like some of the touts you get that drive bad and scare the elephants... Saw some of that and it was upsetting. These guys very good and respectful. Thank you for a wonderful day.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Wayne F, Illinois

Review Date: 17 Nov 2018

Review Body: Our "safari" was booked for us by the driver we had contracted for our week in Sri Lanka. Although we have no way of knowing what options might have been available, it is hard to imagine that we could have done much better. A number of species are represented in the Kauoulla National Park, but elephants are the obvious draw. We had heard that sightings earlier in the day were plentiful, but that doesn't really prepare you for the experience of encountering large (at least 50+ animals?) herds. Knowing that you are seeing them in what is their natural habitat is an incredible experience. We rode in a "jeep" with a raised passenger compartment, so at times it felt like we were almost "face-to-face" with the elephants.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: CCC, Virginia

Review Date: 24 Jul 2017

Review Body: Not sure if we went with this outfit - there are dozens of trucks in this reserve. Probably all about the same. I assume my review is generic to the lot. This is a long, hot dusty afternoon, but we saw probably a hundred elephants up close and and at every possible distance. Eating grass, tossing dust, swimming, playing, you name it. That part was a lot of fun. But - you will be among dozens of other jeeps. You will not feel like you are in the wilderness on a safari. You'll feel like you are in a traffic jam on your local ring road. The crowds take a lot away from the experience, but on the other hand, I will probably never see so many Indian elephants again. It was worth it, but very, very crowded. Be prepared.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: M_Fam_Winch, United Kingdom

Review Date: 12 Aug 2018

Review Body: This trip was one of the highlights of our Sri-Lanka trip and well worth a visit. We arrived just after lunch so there were plenty of jeeps available, being only 3 people I was please we didn’t have to share. We saw a variety of wildlife including lots of elephants in different areas of the park, as with all parks the drivers keep others informed so you are assured of seeing something, the most jeeps at one time was about 6 which didn’t seem too crowded. The park and roadside was the only place in Sri Lanka that we saw picking us rubbish! The only downside is as with other attractions in Sigiriya it doesn’t take credit cards so bring plenty of cash!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: M_Fam_Winch, UK

Review Date: 12 Aug 2018

Review Body: This trip was one of the highlights of our Sri-Lanka trip and well worth a visit. We arrived just after lunch so there were plenty of jeeps available, being only 3 people I was please we didn’t have to share. We saw a variety of wildlife including lots of elephants in different areas of the park, as with all parks the drivers keep others informed so you are assured of seeing something, the most jeeps at one time was about 6 which didn’t seem too crowded. The park and roadside was the only place in Sri Lanka that we saw picking us rubbish! The only downside is as with other attractions in Sigiriya it doesn’t take credit cards so bring plenty of cash!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rachel1992London, UK

Review Date: 06 Feb 2019

Review Body: We took a private jeep, (we were very lucky and were one of the few people to get a Land Rover!). At first we struggled to see much, and so did all of the other drivers, to the extend that our driver took us deep into the jungle for best endeavours to see something. Eventually as if our of no where we saw the most amazing site of several elephant groups. In the end we saw 7 instances of either individual elephants or groups of elephants. We went at about 1 and stayed in the park until about 4.30, this was plenty of time. Our driver also took us to the viewing tower where you can walk and get some amazing views. Highly recommended.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rachel1992London, United Kingdom

Review Date: 05 Feb 2019

Review Body: We took a private jeep, (we were very lucky and were one of the few people to get a Land Rover!). At first we struggled to see much, and so did all of the other drivers, to the extend that our driver took us deep into the jungle for best endeavours to see something. Eventually as if our of no where we saw the most amazing site of several elephant groups. In the end we saw 7 instances of either individual elephants or groups of elephants. We went at about 1 and stayed in the park until about 4.30, this was plenty of time. Our driver also took us to the viewing tower where you can walk and get some amazing views. Highly recommended.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: connie1995, United Kingdom

Review Date: 07 Dec 2019

Review Body: This was an amazing experience, we got very lucky with the weather and in the middle of a monsoon got a few hours of sunshine. You get so close to the elephants it's unbelievable and they don't seem bothered at all, they continue grazing at their own pace even with the little ones around mum. Most of my photos are on my camera so excuse the selfie! The guides are really knowledgeable about the wildlife and stop, wait until you have your photo and then drive on again. Be careful when you go up the watch tower as there are some snakes chilling up there but their only small and didn't even move when we went up

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Dinaghool

Review Date: 18 Jan 2018

Review Body: If you want to see the wild life in srilanka (elephants, birds ...), this is the best place. It is smaller than Yala national park, and has much to see. In less than 10 min from your start up, you will meet around 40-50 elephants and other species, but elephants are majority in additions to oxes. The difference from Yala national park is that you do not wait in the jeep to start your safari, and you see the wild life in less time. Advise you all to go to minneriya and remove yala park fom your list, as we wait around 3 hours to start our safari there, and was not worth it.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Barnsey44, Australia

Review Date: 28 Dec 2017

Review Body: This is a crazy fast ride to the national park to see the elephants and other animals and birds. We had to hand on in the back of the jeep but it was a lot of fun. You drive on dirt tracks and through water and lots of mud. Some jeeps were getting bogged,Mobutu luckily our driver was great and we didn't have any problems. It was all worth it to see the many hearts of elephants with babies also. We would have seen over 50 elephants and also saw 2 young male elephants having a fight which was very interesting. I would definately recommend this attraction.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kittycoocat

Review Date: 15 Apr 2019

Review Body: Wowee! We joined an elephant jeep safari on the very first day our holiday and it was truly the best experience I could have had. Having loved elephants all my life this trip was heaven. Of course, there were lots jeeps, tracking the roaming elephants and it did seem intense at first, as we were so excited at trying to spot them in the vast reserve. But we finally came across a group of 50+ elephants grazing with their young and we did not disturb their peace. It was wonderful to watch them so close up. I will never forget this experience.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: D3353JMfrancescoc, Italy

Review Date: 30 Jun 2017

Review Body: Going inside the bush for 30 40 minutes to see some elephant behind a tree doesn't let you understand immediately what are you going to discover! Just few minutes later you're going to meet groups of elephants just eating and walking with no stress by the human being. The drivers (most of them)know how far have to stay from the babies to not be attacked by the elephant. We have seen one attacked by the elephant because his jeep was too close to the crossing path of the elephant.. Be careful. It must be on your to do list!!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: tanveer1987, India

Review Date: 29 Sep 2018

Review Body: We took the afternoon safari which starts at 1.30 pm from Sigiriya. It took around 40 mins to reach the national park. Tickets are 3000 LKR per person. The jeep took us inside the reserve and slowly you will leave behind the city and enter a jungle. The experience is one of its kinds. Highlights of this safari is ofcourse the elephants which come right at the end. You can see the entire herd walking together. We almost had one elephant moving towards the entire group of jeeps which was a little scary. But thrilling too.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kaytie66, United Kingdom

Review Date: 27 Mar 2019

Review Body: We had a fantastic experience on our 2.5 hour safari - we saw several herds of elephants, a bull elephant, a pregnant elephant and a baby elephant. We even saw an elephant with a tusk which isn’t very common in Sr Lanka. The driver was great and the vehicle comfortable. This had been pre arranged by our tour guide so I’m not sure which company we went with but we started at a hotel called Cinnamon Lodge. Obviously there is always a risk you might not see the elephants... but certainly one worth taking.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kaytie66, UK

Review Date: 28 Mar 2019

Review Body: We had a fantastic experience on our 2.5 hour safari - we saw several herds of elephants, a bull elephant, a pregnant elephant and a baby elephant. We even saw an elephant with a tusk which isn’t very common in Sr Lanka. The driver was great and the vehicle comfortable. This had been pre arranged by our tour guide so I’m not sure which company we went with but we started at a hotel called Cinnamon Lodge. Obviously there is always a risk you might not see the elephants... but certainly one worth taking.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Orchid_fever

Review Date: 20 Jun 2018

Review Body: It was the highlight of our trip and we saw more than 200 elephants. We got close enough to the elephants and it was truly a treat. It is important to have a guide who cares about the elephants (ours did) so that he can direct the driver to park his jeep in a place that will not intrude too much in the elephants' space. I did feel like the elephants were stressed by all the human activity so as visitors we can try to mitigate the stress by not insisting we get too close to the animals.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: sonyah26, UK

Review Date: 27 Feb 2018

Review Body: This place is breathtakingly beautiful, we saw so many beautiful birds, elephants, water buffaloes, monkeys, big lizards... the area is stunning - it completely blew me away, unbelievable, we had such a good time here. There were hardly any other vehicles here when we went - and if we did pass a vehicle it was all done with smiles and a chat. An absolutely wonderful place - I would completely recommend a visit. Our teenage children had a fabulous time also (always a good sign).

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: See mostly Birds like Peacock, Eagle, Pelicans, Parrots, Crane, Parakeet, Owl, Hornbill & etc. Also other animals like Deers, Wild Rabbits, wild boar, grey langers, purple-faced leaf monk, Fox & water buffaloes. View the famous elephants as they graze on the grasses growing on the tank bed. Can see about 20% of Elephants than Evening tour.

Itinerary Description: 05.30 am: Main Entrance of Minneriya National Park or Habarana Junction. 06.00 am: Begin your game drive at Minneriya National Park. 09.00 am: Finishing time of your Safari.